Forteo seeping??? - Osteoporosis Message Board

DesertBloom · 04-09-2007, 03:35 PM

Hi All: I've been having a problem with the Forteo injection seeping out of my leg a little, and wondered if anyone had experienced this, or has a solution.

Since the injection is so small (20 mcgs) I hate to loose any of it with the injection. I inject it into my leg, and at least 2-3 times a week a semi small amount leaks out of the site. The amount I see on my leg is about the diameter of the needle cap, the end that you attach to the pen, which is about a 1/2 of an inch round. I tried using my stomach, and the same thing happens. Do any of you pinch the skin before the injection? I realize you don't have to do that, with this type of needle, but sometimes I just do it automatically. The only problem is I've tried not pinching and it still happens. I also rotate the site evertime, trying to figure out if there is a particular spot that's worse than others, but it still happens. I also make sure the needle is all the way in. I don't want to waste anymore than necessary.

Is this normal for the rest of you, or do you have any ideas?

spinewhine · 04-09-2007, 05:10 PM

I occasionally had a drop or two left on my skin. I think I was told by the Forteo rep that I had to hold the needle in my skin a little longer. I used to push in the button on the pen and count a little longer than they recommend. After that, I didn't have much leakage.

thyme2b · 04-09-2007, 07:18 PM

I have noticed that sometimes the drops that come out during the priming remain on the outside of the needle and then would be on my skin. At first I thought maybe it was leaking or seeping. Try to notice if this is the problem.

I do count to ten very slowly before I withdraw the needle.

taape · 04-09-2007, 08:54 PM

This happened to me sometimes also. You just have to hold the needle in longer to give the liquid a chance to absorb.

osteoblast · 04-09-2007, 10:26 PM

DesertBloom- In the training session that I had when forteo was prescribed I was told by the r.n. that if seepage(as you say) occurs that you should hold the needle in a little longer. The r.n. said that her entire job is training people to self- inject and that most of her trainees are diabetic. But she does train all forteo people too. Also she told me to hold the injection in to a slow count of 5. I have had a small amount on my skin-the size of a drop. The amount that you are talking about does seem to be too much and you should probably see if a change in technique will eliminate the seepage.

One other thought -I noticed early on that the needles prescribed were 31Gx5/16" (8mm) needles . On the printed info from forteo that I was given, a large four page folding out injection instruction sheet with colored pictures, it said use with either 5mm or 8mm 31 gauge needles. Because I am a big baby, I later called the r.n. and said why didn't I get the 5mm needles..She said that they only stock and train with the 8mm because they have better results with getting the fluid in. Well it's just a thought that if the slower injection method does not work that maybe a longer needle could be tried--if you are using the 5mm.

Good luck!